On this day in 1948, the National Health Service came into existence thanks to a Labour government. They knew that wealth should not be a barrier to access to health and care. Our principles of fairness were put into practice once in power. (1/8)
Nye Bevan was the minister entrusted by Attlee to create the NHS. Bevan was 1 of 10 children – only 6 of whom survived into adulthood – born into a Welsh mining community at the end of the 19th century. He worked in the pit from the age of 13 and experienced real hardship. (2/8)
Bevan was inspired by the Tredegar Workmen’s Medical Aid Society, which insured local miners and steel workers: "All I am doing is extending to the entire population of Britain the benefits we had in Tredegar for a generation or more. We are going to Tredegar-ise you." (3/8)
In 1946, the National Health Service Act made provision for the establishment the NHS in 1948. This would change our lives and our country for the better. (4/8)
72 years later we rely on our amazing NHS more than ever as we battle the Covid-19 virus. Key workers in health & social care embody everything about public service that Bevan, Labour and those who built the NHS envisaged. They have shown immense courage and dedication. (5/8)
Tragically, Tory governments have let down our health & social care workers. In the last 10 years ministers weakened the foundations of the NHS through underfunding & outsourcing. They failed to provide workers the quantity and quality of PPE they needed. This cost lives. (6/8)
Labour leader Keir Starmer has said this crisis has shown who our country's key workers really are. NHS & care workers deserve more than our applause. Labour will give the NHS the resources and support to do the job we all ask. mirror.co.uk/news/politics/… (7/8)
The NHS embodies the very best of what our country represents. Labour will proudly continue to stand up for those who care for us. The NHS needs all our support. Please sign and share this card today and say #ThankYouNHS action.labour.org.uk/page/content/t…
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